Purity
August 2017
Vol. 36 No.11
Point of View
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If you chase two rabbits, both will escape. The main thing is to keep the main thing as the main thing. Focus on what you want and not on what you want to avoid.
Monthly Journal of the Brahma Kumaris Hqs. Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
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GST – The Real Reform
ublicized by the government as India’s biggest tax reform in 70 years of independence, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was finally launched at the stroke of midnight on July 1, 2017. It is an indirect tax applicable throughout India, and replaced multiple, cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments. The tax largely simplifies taxation by reducing the number of taxes during multiple stages of manufacture, sale and consumption. It will subsume around 17 taxes. The decluttering of taxes will eventually lead to financial integration of the country. It is said that the cost of goods and services was pushed up by the earlier taxes on transactions across the states. Not only does GST allow free movement of goods across state borders, it also enables more efficient costing and transportation. In addition, it aims to reduce tax-evasion. Since implementing GST involves monitoring of bills and the paper trail across each stage from manufacture to sale, it’s an efficient way to curb domestic black money. Lower costs of goods and services is one of the most important expected outcomes of GST. With the minimising of cascading taxation, goods will cost less. All this is aimed at making India a stronger economy and a developed nation. Just as leaders in power in India are pushing various kinds of reforms, numerous groups of people are engaged in various fields of human
In a sence, GST also signifies God, Souls and Transformation. Human souls who transform themselves through God’s wisdom become harbingers of the Golden Era on earth.
New Delhi: Mr. Ramnath Kovind, the 14th Hon’ble President of India, being presented a frame of Incorporeal God Shiva by BK Asha, Director, Om Shanti Retreat Centre and others.
activity in an effort to change the world for the better. More than at any other time, there is growing restlessness and a desire for change all over the world. There have been significant developments that have changed the way we think, act and live in this world, but most of these have been of the material kind. The real and lasting reform or transformation that we all want is not going to happen through new laws and regulations. It needs change of a deeper kind – a change at the core of human beings, a change in their consciousness, attitude and way of life. This change can only happen through spiritual awakening. It is said that knowledge liberates one. Knowledge of the self as an immortal, infinite being of peace, purity and love liberates us from greed, fear, insecurity, selfishness, ego and all kinds of pettiness that binds us to a vicious cycle of sin and suffering. Soul consciousness makes one virtuous and powerful. ‘Nirakari, nirvikari, nirahankari’ – bodiless, viceless, egoless – this is the true nature of every soul. It is soul consciousness that helps us go beyond vices and live in a state of natural purity. It is not renunciation of worldly roles or relationships that sets us free, it is the renunciation of our limited sense of identity, our egocentric consciousness that liberates us. Instead of chasing desires, clinging, attaching, grabbing, holding on and living in a state of constant fear of loss, we begin to live like carefree emperors. When we are soul conscious, our sense of identity is derived from the inherent worth of the soul rather than the limited roles that make us feel superior or inferior. The outer state of the world is a reflection of the inner state of the world – our moral,
ethical and spiritual foundations have become weak. And it is exactly at such a time of utter darkness and extreme degeneration that God, as per His promise in the Gita, transforms our old, vicious, iron-aged world into a new, viceless, golden-aged world. Only God can guide humanity from its present impasse to lasting peace and happiness. God is unique and above all. He is supreme amongst all creation, therefore, He has the wisdom and power that can change the entire world and restore it to its original, perfect state. God Himself is now guiding humans towards liberation from this age of sin and suffering, and re-establishing a new world of long-lasting peace, purity and happiness. By following the path of wisdom imparted by Him, we can conquer the vices within us and become virtuous like deities. In this context, GST also signifies God, Soul and Transformation. Supreme in His attributes and powers, God is able to change the entire world from hell to heaven by imparting Godly wisdom. The small percentage of human souls who transform themselves and regain their original purity through God’s wisdom help transform the entire world through their spiritual power. They become God’s agents of change, the harbingers of the Golden Age on earth. It is certain that the world is changing, and in a big way. The predicted end and a new beginning for the world depend on when we change our attitudes and actions. It depends on how much we are able to conquer our negative traits and weaknesses such as hatred, jealousy, ego, greed, lust and attachment. Hence, we have to see how fast we can transform ourselves for the better. V (Purity Features)
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